JROTC
Welcome to the Springfield High School JROTC web-site!
Springfield High School
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
Established
at Springfield High School in 1984, this is the only
JROTC program in
northwest Ohio. The program is
offered as an elective for all four grade levels -
freshman through senior. Students/Cadets
meet for class every school day and wear their Army uniform one day a
week.
JROTC is designed to
teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, service
to the community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment,
while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self-discipline. Its
focus is reflected in its mission statement, "To motivate young
people to be better citizens." It
prepares high school students for responsibility in leadership roles while
making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as
American citizens. The program is a stimulus for promoting graduation from
high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that
will benefit the student, community, and nation.
It is designed for students of all abilities. Last year’s JROTC
class had several students in each grade level with 4.0 GPAs.
In 1996, General Colin Powell thought so highly of the national
JROTC program that he sought and received President Clinton and
Congress’ support to greatly expand the program.
JROTC is an elective class and, if taken for one year, will fulfill
a student’s requirement for a physical education class.
JROTC meets 1st, 2nd 3rd
and 5th block periods, with 5th period reserved for students participating on
the nationally ranked Drill Team. Freshmen
class topics cover the purpose of JROTC, proper courtesies for the
National Flag, leadership, learning different types of study skills,
communication skills, personality development, appreciating diversity,
conflict resolution and community service. The Army does not use the program as a
recruiting tool, but is fulfilling national law; the JROTC program is one
of the Army’s contributions to assisting America’s youth to become
better citizens. The program produces successful students and productive
adults, while fostering in school a more constructive and disciplined
learning environment. The majority of students take one or two years of JROTC.
This year 15% of the student body is participating in JROTC.
A JROTC student is not in the Army, does not learn Army skills, and
has no obligation to the Army.
Co-curricular
activities include the Drill Team, Rifle Team, Color Guards and Summer Camps.
Leadership development for cadets comes from the opportunity to be
a member of the student chain of command.
Students are chosen for these positions based on their motivation
and performance in the program.
Throughout
the years the Springfield program has continually been recognized by the
Army’s Cadet Command as being in the top 10% of
JROTC programs and has
been awarded with the “Honor Unit with Distinction.”
This honor is
awarded based on several factors, one of which is the high amount of
community support activities the cadets provide to the greater Toledo
area.
The Springfield High School JROTC Drill Team is nationally recognized for their success in regional and national level competitions. Every morning the team gathers before school for 45 minutes to practice. Also, when times is given, after academic class time is dedicated to drill. At the 2008 national competition, the emerald guard brought home a 5th place trophy for their exhibition squad.
The success of the program is due to the dedication of the students/cadets, who devote time and enthusiasm to the program, the drill team, to Springfield Local Schools, Lucas County Education Service Center, and the greater Holland community for their outstanding support of the program.
Honor
Unit with Distinction